公开(公告)号：US09270080B1

公开(公告)日：2016-02-23

申请号：US13524817

申请日：2012-06-15

Applicant: John Clowes ,  Christophe Codemard ,  Adam Devine

Inventor： John Clowes ,  Christophe Codemard ,  Adam Devine

IPC: H01S3/30 ,  H01S3/094 ,  G02F1/35

CPC classification number: H01S3/302 ,  G01J3/0218 ,  G01J3/10 ,  G01J2003/106 ,  G01N21/63 ,  G01N21/8422 ,  G02F2001/3503 ,  G02F2001/3528 ,  H01S3/094003

Abstract: A broadband light source (e.g., an optical supercontinuum apparatus), can comprise a pump laser; a non-linear optical element configured for generating spectrally broadened light generated responsive to receiving pump laser pulses and one or more non-linear processes; an optical output for delivering spectrally broadened light to a target; a length of optical waveguide optically upstream of the output and in optical communication therewith; and a sensor apparatus. The length of optical waveguide can comprise at least a first waveguiding region configured for propagating spectrally broadened light in a forward direction toward the output and can be further configured for receiving backward propagating light responsive to the forward propagating light. The sensor apparatus can be configured for optical communication with the length of optical waveguide so as to sense the backward propagating light propagated by the length of optical waveguide. Methods for operating and using such broadband light source are disclosed, as are applications of the methods and apparatus.

Abstract translation: 宽带光源（例如，光超连续真空设备）可以包括泵激光器; 非线性光学元件，被配置为产生响应于接收泵激光脉冲产生的光谱变宽的光和一个或多个非线性过程; 用于将光谱扩展的光传送到目标的光学输出; 输出光学上游并与其光学通信的光波导的长度; 和传感器装置。 光波导的长度可以包括至少第一波导区域，其被配置用于沿向前的方向朝向输出传播光谱增宽的光，并且可以进一步被配置为响应于正向传播的光接收反向传播的光。 传感器装置可以配置为与光波导的长度进行光通信，以便感测由光波导长度传播的反向传播光。 公开了用于操作和使用这种宽带光源的方法，以及方法和装置的应用。